My honest, no BS, opinion of P.A.M.

thanks for sharing, but see how it would've sounded if i had said "how could you not see a big ole deer, i've never done that" or something like "like i told you in another thread, think safety". Anyway, whether it was your fault or not, have a sympathetic side dj. i know you're a good man

 

Well, It looks like I will be flying to Laredo for orientation next week. Before I sign on is there anything I need to know to ask for? I mean, should I ask now to be regional or automotive dedicated? I really want to keep my ### out of the northeast. And I hate it when you get hired and they refuse to give you a route or region because you did not ask for it while be hired.
I am pretty much going with pam just because they hire out of El Paso and Laredo. I would relocate to Laredo if it would help me get dedicated.
I would appreciate any positive advice from you PAM vets.
thanks

 

I haven't posted here in a while, mostly because I've had nothing positive to post. I'm planning on leaving PAM after I have my year of "recent" experience. I'm not mad or anything, but I have this thing about actually making money for driving a truck and it's not happening with them. I came off home time the 26th of Dec. and have been in a shop 3 times for the same electrical problem. I really don't blame PAM for the lemons I've been getting, but four trucks in less than a year is not good. My DM says I may get another truck as soon as the one I have gets fixed. I'm tired of shops, layovers, and the Northeast runs. My mind is made up. Only a miracle will keep me there (that being a dedicated run out of my home area with a dependable truck) I wish all of you PAM drivers the best of luck. May the good Lord keep you in a good truck with plenty of freight and miles.

 

I have a remarkably reliable truck. I don't love it or anything, but it does get going every day.

But since coming off home 12-31 I haven't had enough miles. 3 out of 5 loads could have been delivered WAY sooner by me than what dispatch said.

I did not get a big happy bang out of going to MA.

I'm going to drop this load in Portland, TN in the morning and Lord only knows whats next.

At one year you can almost bet money I'm gone.

PS. I'd ALMOST bet money I'll get a night run of Con-Way freight out of Nashville. I'll report back.

 

I'm in Jersey. Got truck out of shop in Langhorn, PA. on Friday, the 14th and headed for Newark to pick up. Lost instuments and blower 6 miles or so from shipper. Been here in Newark area waiting for shop to fix. Truck got into shop Friday the 21st. Was told it would be Mon. before they could finish testing it. They are closed weekends. Motel costs me half of my layover pay every day I'm here. There are no cheap motels this close to NYC. One day, after I have found a better job, I'll look back at this time and laugh. Glad someone has a good truck. Thats more important than you realize with PAM.

 

You pretty much have to get a motel around the Irving yard to have anything left when you get the $60. The best some drivers could find in Laredo needed a few extra dollars.

I shudder to think if I broke down in the North east!!!

 

PAM is not a company any one should plan on staying with!!! When you hit the 2 to 3 year mark they will find a way to get rid of you, even make you quit. It is true they are a good starter company and will work with you as long as they don't have to give you pay raises. Do not report damage to the body of trailers or they will put a mark on your DAC and say you did it. Do not get hurt in any way on the job they will find a way to fire you. I know I worked for them for 3 years and got hurt ( dislocated shoulder ) and even though I had a doctors note they fired me for haven meds in my sys. on a return to work drug test. They knew it before the test and still had me test or be fired for not taken the test.

 

Yep this is PAM, my DM treated me like I don't know what I am doing right after I got my call from ATS and I told here I was going to work for another company on 2/21/11 so I am out of PAM on my 1 year good luck to all who have to stay

 

I take it you have a conditional offer from ATS. Good for you! I think that I will call some recruiters. No use waiting til the last minute. How do you figure your hire date with PAM? The day you start orientation? The day you go solo? After 90 days probationery period? Applications are a b**ch for accuracy these days.

 

If you did orientation before going on your trainer's truck, that's your first day with PAM...otherwise, it's the day you stepped foot on your trainer's truck.